Haven van Balaklava met schepen en tenten, tijdens de Krimoorlog 1854 - 1856

James Robertson created this photograph of Balaklava Harbor with ships and tents during the Crimean War. The Crimean War was a conflict largely about colonial power and land control. Robertson, as the official photographer, had a position that granted him a certain perspective on the conflict. What is striking is the seeming emptiness of the harbor, and of course, the rows of tents, highlighting the temporary, displaced lives of the soldiers. The war took place on the Crimean Peninsula, a place with diverse ethnic and cultural roots, and it became a site of geopolitical struggle. Robertson’s photograph doesn't delve into the experiences of the local Crimean people, whose lives were deeply affected by the war, instead focusing on the imagery of military operations. The emotional impact lies in the recognition of the broader human cost of war and the erasure of the local population and their experiences. This photograph captures a specific historical moment but also prompts us to reflect on how conflicts shape landscapes and the lives of those caught in the middle.